Car Sounds and What the Issue Could Be

More often than not, you know the sound your car makes when it's running normally. Your car is always communicating to you its condition through the sounds it produces. We run you through different car sounds and what they translate to.

Squeaky Brakes

You realize every time you step on your brake pedal, a sharp, squeaking sound is produced. In a disc brake system, the sound could indicate several things. Your brake pad's friction material could be contaminated with foreign material. The brake pads could be glazed because of overheating after hard braking. Or it could be indicating a lack of proper lubrication.

Engine Rattling

Your engine could rattle on different occasions. For example, your engine can rattle when accelerating, when it's idle or when it's too hot.

Engine rattling when you accelerate could be due to several reasons. The belt tensioner could be having more movements than it should. Sometimes engine rattling while idle is normal. However, in some situations, it could be due to catalytic converter problems or collapsed filters. Engine rattling when it's hot can be caused by low oil pressure. Low oil pressure is mostly due to lack of maintenance, although sometimes it can be caused by a failing oil pump.

Engine Clicking

Engine clicking can be due to your normal engine's wear from running. Your engine valves could also be out of adjustment. The clicking sound could be produced by excessive movement of the valves' components or be due to low oil levels. The clicking sound is produced due to inadequate lubrication of the valve-train components.

Knocking From Under the Hood

Engine knocking indicates that your engine is not operating efficiently. It is mostly when the air-fuel mixture is not right. The fuel hence burns in uneven pockets. This can damage your engine's piston and the cylinder wall. Inadequate lubrication in the upper cylinder head area can also produce the knocking sound.

Engine Squealing

Engine squealing is mostly caused by a failing drive belt. The drive belt drives your engine's power steering pump and alternator, among other things. When a drive belt is faulty, these components fail, and you can hear squealing sounds.

Our seasoned car experts at Reliable Nissan offer solutions to all your car problems and noises. Contact us or visit our dealership in Albuquerque for any strange car noise diagnosis and service today.